Comprehensive auto insurance can be a significant expense for many drivers. The average annual cost of comprehensive insurance is around $500, according to recent studies.
This cost can add up quickly, especially for those who drive expensive or high-performance vehicles. A study found that the cost of comprehensive insurance for a luxury car can be as high as $1,500 per year.
The cost of comprehensive insurance is influenced by various factors, including the driver's age, location, and vehicle type. For example, drivers under the age of 25 tend to pay higher premiums due to their inexperience and higher risk profile.
In addition to the financial burden, comprehensive insurance also has a significant impact on the overall cost of car ownership.
What Is Comprehensive Auto Insurance
Comprehensive auto insurance covers any damage to a car except for damage from a collision.
This type of insurance includes coverage for natural hazards, such as deer strikes and falling limbs, as well as fire, weather, natural disasters, theft, and acts of vandalism.
Comprehensive insurance pays for your vehicle's repairs after a loss that is not caused by an accident, often referred to as "other than collision" coverage.
It's an optional type of car insurance that pays to repair your car or pays you the value of the vehicle if it's totaled due to certain problems.
Comprehensive insurance also compensates you if your car is stolen, but a check for a comprehensive claim will be reduced by the amount of your deductible.
You're usually required to purchase comprehensive insurance if you have a vehicle lease or loan.
Cost of Comprehensive Auto Insurance
The cost of comprehensive auto insurance can vary significantly depending on several factors. On average, comprehensive coverage costs around $134 per year, but can rise to nearly double that amount, depending on where you live and other factors.
Comprehensive insurance costs can range from $134 to over $367 per year, depending on the value of your vehicle and your location. For example, in Texas, the average cost of comprehensive coverage is $183.57 per year.
The cost of comprehensive insurance also depends on the state you live in. The most expensive state to insure a car in is New York, where the average driver spends $1,511 on full car insurance each year. On the other hand, the least expensive state is North Dakota, where drivers pay just $692 per year on average to insure their vehicles.
Here are some average annual costs of comprehensive car insurance by company, based on Forbes Advisor's analysis:
The cost of comprehensive insurance can also be affected by your driving record and the value of your vehicle. Vehicles with sophisticated features, such as lane-departure warnings, are more expensive to repair, which affects the cost of comprehensive insurance for the vehicle.
Understanding Insurance Options
Comprehensive insurance is a crucial component of an automobile insurance policy, covering damage to your car from various events such as falling objects, fires, and vandalism. It also pays for windshield and glass repair and replacement.
Typical deductible choices for comprehensive insurance range from $250 to $2,000, with $500 being a common choice. Selecting a higher deductible can lower your comprehensive insurance cost, but keep in mind that you'll receive less insurance money if you make a claim.
In most states, the law requires drivers to carry a stated amount of liability insurance, but collision and comprehensive insurance are optional if you own a vehicle outright. If you have financed the vehicle, the auto loan company might require comprehensive insurance, plus perhaps uninsured motorist or gap insurance.
If you're underinsured, you might be at risk of not having enough coverage to pay for damages to your car. At TGS Insurance, they shop your auto policy through their bank of 35+ A-rated carriers to find you the best deal on auto insurance.
You can weigh the cost of comprehensive coverage against the potential payout to decide if it's worth it. Comprehensive coverage adds to your car insurance costs, but it covers your car for a wide variety of events.
It's essential to choose the right deductible amount for comprehensive and collision coverage. The best deductible amount is a balance between your car's value, how much you feel comfortable paying for an annual premium, and how much you're prepared to pay out-of-pocket to repair or replace your damaged car.
Here's a breakdown of the difference between comprehensive and collision insurance:
Comprehensive insurance is one portion of full coverage car insurance, which typically also includes collision insurance and liability insurance. You may need more coverage types depending on what's required in your state.
Insurance Coverage and Claims
Comprehensive insurance claims can be tricky, but understanding how they work can help you make informed decisions. If your repair cost is less than or just a bit more than your deductible, filing a comprehensive claim may not make financial sense.
Your car insurance deductible is the amount of money your insurer will deduct from a claims check. For example, if it will cost $1,100 to fix your car and your deductible is $1,000, you would only get a $100 insurance check.
A car insurance deductible can range from $250 to $2,000, depending on the insurance company and your policy. It's essential to choose a deductible that balances your car's value, annual premium, and out-of-pocket expenses.
Here are some examples of car insurance claims and whether they're covered by comprehensive insurance:
How Claims Affect Rates
Filing a comprehensive claim can impact your car insurance rates. This is because your insurance company may view you as a higher risk to insure.
Comprehensive claims can lead to increased rates at renewal time. This is because your insurance company considers you a higher risk after a comprehensive claim.
The impact of a comprehensive claim on your rates is typically less than an at-fault accident. This is because your insurance company views an at-fault accident as a more significant risk.
If you live in an area prone to vandalism, theft, or natural disasters, you can expect to pay more for comprehensive insurance. This is because your insurance company anticipates a higher likelihood of claims in these areas.
The value of your vehicle and its repair costs also affect comprehensive insurance rates. For example, if your car has advanced features like lane-departure warnings, you can expect to pay more for comprehensive insurance due to its higher repair costs.
If your car is stolen and later recovered, your insurance company will pay for repairs up to the actual cash value of your car, minus your deductible.
Work Claims
Filing a comprehensive claim can be a bit tricky, especially when it comes to the deductible. If your repair cost is less than or just a bit more than your deductible, filing a claim may not make financial sense.
For instance, if it will cost $1,100 to fix your car and your deductible is $1,000, you would only get a $100 insurance check. That's probably not worth it, considering the hassle of filing a claim and the impact on your insurance record.
Insurance Costs and Value
The cost of comprehensive auto insurance can vary greatly depending on several factors, including your location. In New York, the average driver spends $1,511 on full car insurance each year, while in North Dakota, drivers pay just $692 per year on average.
The cost of comprehensive coverage also varies from driver to driver and policy to policy. For example, in Texas, the average cost of comprehensive coverage is $183.57 per year, with ranges from sub $150 to over $250. In the Houston and Dallas areas, the average premium for comprehensive coverage varies by city, with Tomball having the lowest average premium at $139.99 per year.
Your personal details, such as age, gender, and driving record, can also impact the cost of comprehensive coverage. In Texas, the average premium for comprehensive coverage among TGS Insurance customers is $183.57 per year.
If you have a high-value vehicle, you can expect to pay more for comprehensive coverage. The higher a vehicle's cash value, the more expensive a comprehensive insurance policy will be. In fact, if your comprehensive and collision coverage exceeds 10% of your car's value, it may not be necessary to carry the extra coverage.
Here's a breakdown of the average monthly cost of car insurance coverage, including comprehensive coverage, which averages $31 per month.
Insurance Advice and Tips
Looking for ways to lower your comprehensive auto insurance costs? One effective strategy is to raise your deductible, as even a small increase can lead to significant savings.
According to the data, raising your deductible from $200 to $500 can lower your premium by up to 20%. This may be a good option if you have a stable income and can afford to pay more out-of-pocket in case of an accident.
Good grades can also help you save on insurance. Students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher often qualify for lower premiums.
In some states, like Michigan and New York, insurance rates are based on the type of vehicle you drive. Opting for a car with a lower insurance group rating can lead to lower premiums.
Shopping around and comparing quotes from different insurance providers can also help you find a better deal. The best rates often go to those who switch insurers at renewal time.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you drop comprehensive coverage on your vehicle?
Consider dropping comprehensive coverage if your car's value is below a few thousand dollars and you have a high deductible, as the annual premiums may not be worth the potential insurance payout. This is especially true if your car's value is no longer worth the cost of repairs.
What is the cheapest full comprehensive car insurance?
Bingle offers the cheapest comprehensive car insurance, with average annual premiums of $862. This makes it the winner of the 2024 Finder car insurance award for low cost.
Sources
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/comprehensive-insurance.asp
- https://tgsinsurance.com/texas-auto-insurance/comprehensive-coverge/
- https://www.insurance.com/auto-insurance/coverage/comprehensive-and-collision-auto-insurance.html
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/what-is-comprehensive-car-insurance/
- https://www.lemonade.com/car/explained/comprehensive-vs-collision-insurance/
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